Hornbeck (pp 28-29): I'm inspecting the battlefield
The night before the battle. Before it's cluttered
With the debris of journalistic camp-followers
When Hornbeck says that he is inspecting the battlefield the night before the battle, he is referring to the courtroom before it is filled with controversial opinions, strong believers of their side, and chaos. During the trial, there willl also be the jury and other bystanders which Hornbeck calls "the debris of journalistic camp-followers" who will be not the people who will argue their points but just agree with what their side of the conflict has to say.
Hornbeck (pp 28-29):
I'm inspecting the battlefield
The night before the battle. Before it's cluttered
With the debris of journalistic camp-followers
When Hornbeck says that he is inspecting the battlefield the night before the battle, he is referring to the courtroom before it is filled with controversial opinions, strong believers of their side, and chaos. During the trial, there willl also be the jury and other bystanders which Hornbeck calls "the debris of journalistic camp-followers" who will be not the people who will argue their points but just agree with what their side of the conflict has to say.